Veterans recognized

MEDINA TWP. — Navy veteran Raymond Linden says he was fortunate during World War II.

Despite participating in five invasion missions in the Pacific Theatre, including encountering kamikazes in the Philippines, the Medina resident was never wounded.

For Bill Hurlburt, his time in the armed forces influenced his life in a positive way.

“The Navy was good to me,” Hurlburt said. “Even in the ’60s, you were given opportunities to go to schools.”

Hurlburt was a graduate student at Columbia University studying hospital administration when he was drafted into the Army. To avoid being a foot soldier, he joined the Navy.

After leaving the military, he settled in Medina and now lives at the Western Reserve Masonic Community.

Hurlburt and Linden were among about 100 Medina County veterans honored during a recognition ceremony Friday at Weymouth Country Club.

Arthur Saunders, a member of World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African-American fighter pilots, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

The airmen, Saunders said, faced racial segregation and persecution, but the Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Group, nicknamed the “Red Tailed Angels,” was one of the most successful squadrons in the Army Air Corps.